How we cite our quotes: (Book:Verse)
Quote #4
Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words. So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel (NRSV 18:2-6). Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel (KJV 18:2-6).
God indicates that his wrath and vengeful justice have their creative aspect, as well. They're forces that are helping shape Israel into the nation he wants it to be. Don't forgetteth, though, that this involves destruction. You have to get rid of the bad vessel before you start working on Israel 2.0.
Quote #5
In those days they shall no longer say: "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge (NRSV 31:29-30).
In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But everyone shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge (KJV 31:29-30).
The proverb cited here was a way of saying that successive generations are affected by the behaviors of the ones before them. In the early days of the nation, God often said that the sins of the fathers would affect the children to the third and fourth generation, and the same principle held for good behavior—the descendants would be rewarded. So this is a serious change. God now says that everyone's responsible for his own good and bad behavior and only they bear the consequences. That's important going forward, because Judah's just been destroyed because of its sins. In order to have any hope of better days ahead, the next generation needs to believe that they won't be punished for the older generation's disobedience. It's a whole new idea of justice.
Quote #6
Thus says the Lord: Do not deceive yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans will surely go away from us, for they will not go away. Even if you defeated the whole army of Chaldeans who are fighting against you, and there remained of them only wounded men in their tents, they would rise up and burn this city with fire (NRSV 37:9-10). Thus saith the Lord; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart. For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire (KJV 37:9-10).
God's justice is so absolute that no human plan can override it, even if the tide of events seems to turn in the total opposite direction.